Callout for community support for cup

WITH Ballarat one of forty-one stops as part of the annual Melbourne Cup tour, staff at host stable Ajay Equestrian are asking the community to help make the visit a memorable one.

Victoria Racing Club representatives will be among the visitors who will stop off at the business’ Invermay stables with the cup in tow in mid-October.

A mini-carnival day is set to be take place for the tour, during which Ajay Equestrian owner Abbey Willis said she wants to convey a community atmosphere.

“We’ll handle the horse side but what we’re looking for is community groups or businesses to showcase what they’ve got in that section,” she said.

“For example, the Scouts can come out and show what they’ve got. The CFA have their trucks and activities.

“The Cup is about Melbourne and Australia and who we are so it’s important to have that community vibe.”

Ajay Equestrian staff will have four thoroughbreds and 20 ponies participating in the day’s events, with presentations planned to showcase their horses’ racing careers.

The event is set to also include pony rides, a mini-jumping castle, a bull, and competitions as well as Melbourne Cup-themed activities and horse photo opportunities.

Attendees can either pay a flat $40 entry fee or enter free and pay for individual activities.

Ms Willis said she’s also looking for a local personality who can share their inspiring story with visitors.

“The Melbourne Cup is about inspiring so we would love someone who’s been a big part of the community or helped a lot of people,” she said.

“It doesn’t need to be someone who’s done the most things or won the most stuff but that person that everybody knows or loves.”

Marg Anderson, manager of Ajay Equestrian’s riding school said the event will be a great opportunity for their roughly 150 students.

“We’re notifying the people at our school to do the pony rides and things like that,” she said. “A lot of them are very keen to be part of it.”

The Melbourne Cup tour’s local stop is set to run from 10am to 1pm on Tuesday 17 October and to get involved call 0431 661 923.